F1 News: Audi Brings On Highly Influential Tech Expert From Michael Schumacher Era For 2026 Grid Entry

As Audi ramps up its Formula 1 efforts for 2026, they have recruited tech expert John Sutton, renowned for his involvement in crafting some of the sport's most intricate cars while collaborating with Williams, Ferrari, and McLaren.

A prominent figure in top-tier motorsport, Sutton joined Audi Formula Racing GmbH in November 2023, following three years as a freelancer. Previously, he spent over 12 years at McLaren Racing until 2020, contributing to innovations such as the instant-shift gearbox and delving into the KERS hybrid boost system with Mercedes, subsequently adopted by F1 in 2009. In 2014, he shifted from the motorsport division to the road car division.

Playing a pivotal role in the design of the active differential for Nigel Mansell's championship-winning 1992 Williams FW14B, recognized as one of Formula 1's most sophisticated cars, Sutton enjoyed a decade of success with Williams, starting in 1988. His influence extended to Ferrari in 1999, where he contributed to the creation of a lightweight gearbox that propelled Michael Schumacher to victories.

As the German manufacturer looks forward to a Sauber takeover in 2026, Audi Formula Racing GmbH chief executive Adam Baker revealed technical details last year, emphasizing that his crew was working closely with Sauber to have a "true partnership". He told PlanetF1.com:

“We already have a close technical collaboration with Sauber which is as to be expected for a works programme, even this far out. We want to fully optimise the chassis and the power unit as a complete package.

“We obviously need to respect the existing partnerships of Sauber. The benefit of announcing [an F1 entry] early also gives us a challenge and somewhat unusual situation that the transition phase to work with an existing team is longer than typically the case.

“In parallel we are working collaboratively [with Sauber] on the 2026 car. The way we separated those activities is Sauber Motorsport, where traditionally all the F1 activities take place, is working on the car for the next two years with their existing partners.

“And we’re working with Sauber Technologies which is typically responsible for their non-F1 activities.

“We’re developing the power unit and the car concept really together as one cohesive technical team. That’s extremely important for us.

“We want to achieve that optimum works type development environment where it is a true partnership.”